Not Letting Power Corrupt Us
An exploration of power's corrupting influence and how to resist it, drawing wisdom from Marcus Aurelius's example as Roman Emperor and the Stoic philosophy of maintaining humility in leadership.
Have you ever watched someone change after gaining power or influence? Maybe it was a friend who started a successful business, a colleague who got promoted, or even a small content creator who suddenly went viral. It's fascinating how power, even in small doses, can transform someone's character.
I've been thinking a lot about this lately – how success and influence tend to change people, usually not for the better. It seems to be part of human nature. The moment we gain any kind of authority or influence, something shifts in our minds. We start seeing the world differently. We begin treating people differently.
This got me wondering: Is it possible to hold power without letting it corrupt us? Is there a way to lead and influence others while maintaining our humanity and humility?
These questions made me think about one of history's most remarkable examples: Marcus Aurelius, a man who held more power than almost anyone in history, yet fought daily battles against its corrupting influence.
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